Military Families

How can I involve my partner while he is away?

Pregnancy, birth and parenting are exciting, emotional and challenging times in a woman's life. For many families around the country, being in the military can mean that one partner misses parts of these special times. Whether you are in the military yourself or your partner is in the military, there are ways that you can make the transition smoother.

Find out what benefits the military offers and take advantage of them. Take a tour of the hospital that you will be delivering at and find out what services are offered for you, as an expectant mother and after your delivery.

Going to prenatal appointments alone can be stressful and depressing for some women. Find a family member or friend that you trust to go with you. Ask for a detailed report of your progress and make sure to keep your partner informed. Share pictures from an ultrasound and of your growing belly as often as possible. Record the sound of the heartbeat and ask for a video of the ultrasound, if possible. Your partner will enjoy these special mementos of their growing baby. Send your partner a pregnancy book so that he can read about what stage of pregnancy you are in. You might find one that is geared towards expectant fathers.

There is always the possibility that your partner could miss the birth of your baby. Make sure that you have a good support team lined up well in advance just in case this occurs. If possible, stay connected with your partner throughout the delivery via telephone. A support person can talk to him and keep him informed of your progress. There is nothing like hearing your baby cry for the first time and your partner would most likely treasure that phone call. If allowed, videotape the delivery so that your partner can see the birth of their child. After the baby is born, send digital photographs of the baby as soon as possible.

Comments: Military Families

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em2 stewarts wife - 7 days ago.
Hey Ladies! I just wanted to post because I am SOOOO excited that my DH is due to be home soon! When he left I was 6 weeks for the 4th time... I should be 7 months pregnant right now but I miscarried, for the fourth time, a few weeks after DH left. The entire deplyment I have been trying to get my body back in order and get some testing done. I still have no answers for any of my four miscarriages but DH and I are hopeful and are going to keep trying! I am just happy that we will be able to try again soon! Thanks for listening guys!

babynguyen2 - 18 days ago.
I just wanted to send my love to those of you who have loved ones out at Fort Hood Tx. My prays are with anyone that has family there and I hope you family members are safe and lots of love for the victims and their family's!

armywife7 - 21 days ago.
just found out today that we are PCSing from here (ft irwin, CA) to Ft Hood , TX in 2 months! we had our orders pushed up bc out original date to leave was 4 days b4 my due date... im excited to leave here.... but moving is so stressful! i have a little boy who is almost 3 and autisic.... so that... plus moving while being pregnant = stressed mommy

petite13 - 26 days ago.
Just move in to Lemoore, CA with my husband and two kids (a 6-year old boy and 2-months old boy).Though my husband was away for my whole pregnancy period and during my giving birth (he arrived hours late last sept 5 from japan to CA ),im glad that he's hir for me now to help me take care of our natnat n xavier.those lost moments are all paid off the moment he's here by my side.Glad that after 6 years of waiting,were together as one family with our kids.

Mrs Udezeh - 37 days ago.
I found out i was pregnant in april and my husband was due to deploy in June so i have been on my own pretty much the whole pregnancy. Im due dec 13th and my husband has booked his RnR for December 17th which happens to be my birthday :) who knows when he will actually get here. Im sad that he has missed all the kicking and the amazing movements but im happy he will be home to see her born or just after and then he is gone for 6 months but i would rather him mis the first 6 months instead of her first steps and crawls. Its hard for all of us mothers but i pray for all the soldiers to come home safe to us and everything else will be blessed :D Stay strong to all the wives and im here if anyone needs to talk

Anica - 38 days ago.
I'm in England..

SweetPea-Pod - 38 days ago.
Tubsy- im currently on Ft. Lewis. I just had our daughter a week ago, and my husband deployed in august. ZLuckly hes coming home in the next few days for R&R...but we wont see him again for another 9 monthsor so. Ever need anything- let me know....im in the same boat!

tubsywubsy - 38 days ago.
anyone from ft lewis? my husband will be deployed my entire pregnancy and for our babies first 3 mos! pretty lame,,,,

milesmommy08 - 48 days ago.
anyone from nellis afb

kylasmommy - 49 days ago.
hey ladies!! I'm new to this site. My husband is stationed in England, and we have one daughter, Kyla. who is 5 months old. We're leaving in April...no idea where to. Anyone else in England?

milf2b - 52 days ago.
HI ladies! My husband has been deployed to Iraq for the past 4 months, it is definitely tough being a single mom right now in Italy but at the same time having my son makes the emotional stress of deployments a little easier. Our son just turned 16 months and is a handful but I don't know what I would do without him. Hubby should be home right before Christmas! If anyone ever wants to chat feel free to write me :)

military~mommy - 53 days ago.
I am preggo again, lol, DH is actually going to be here for this pregnancy! YAY!

kaeliandericasmom - 54 days ago.
Well my baby is 5 weeks old tom & I found out the other day my hubby is coming home round Oct 17th from his 1st deployment. This was his 1st child and he missed alot. But I am just so excited he is coming home a month early and we can start our life over again

military~mommy - 57 days ago.
Mandy~ Mommy soldiers get 6 weeks maternity leave. Giving the father's 10 days pat leave is because the military gives 10 days pat leave for adoptions, and men were complaining that if they adopted they would get time off, but not if they had a biological child.

mandybear89 - 58 days ago.
what about the mommy soldiers??

smurfwxmama - 60 days ago.
It's been a while since I've been on here....but I'm leaving England in Jan 2010 and moving to North Dakota Feb 2010, anyone from that area?? Send me a message!

Aviatorswife - 74 days ago.
Hey everyone ~ Are most of you aware that soldiers are now entitled to paternity leave? If you're not familiar with it, go to military.com and search paternity leave. Soldiers get 10 consecutive days, uncharged leave and can be used with R & R. Most Commanders, let alone soldiers, have no clue about it. Hope this helps!! Believe me, we'll be using it!! Just be sure that your soldier puts in for it ahead of time.

armywife7 - 74 days ago.
i found out i was pregnant with my first the morning i was taking him to the airport to go back to iraq from R&R.. i did the WHOLE pregnancy by myself while i was still in germany... i did not see him again till the day i was induced to have our son.. that was over 2 1/2 years ago and hes been back ever since.... now im pregnant with number 2 and hes set to deploy when this one is 5 months old....

brunbri - 75 days ago.
Wow i feel where you guys are coming from my baby is due feb1 and my hubby leaves for iraq in March for a year at first it upset me but i am dealing with it

SarahD - 78 days ago.
So my Dh is leaving in January, and I am due in March. His unit is going to try to get him back right before the due day for about two weeks, But I have asked my parents to come be here in case he does not make it back in time.

j3nnal3igh - 83 days ago.
so i just found out that my hubby is deploying in about a month for 7 months so he wont be back til the baby is around 2 months old... its gonna be my first deployment and its my first pregnancy... hes not even gone yet and its already really hard... deployment and pregnancy hormones dont mix :(

lili-d - 113 days ago.
Ugh! Just found out my husband won't be back home till Jan.!!! I miss him soo much :(

KaeliandEricasMom - 117 days ago.
Well my hubby has been gone since April 25th the same day my mom passed...I will be 35 weeks tom and my dh wont be back til between oct-dec it sucks but as long as he comes home safe to us im good

babybrown2010 - 117 days ago.
Hi!! I don't know if I am doing this correctly I'm new to the site. I was just wondering if any of you ladies are in Quantico, Va?? My dh and I are getting relocated in November and just wondering if someone could help me out with finding a good ob-gyn. Since by then I'll be pretty far along. Thanks in advanced.

Bri - 134 days ago.
happyinvention - My sister and her husband are stationed out there but they live in Pearl City. I'm not sure how far that is from you but let me know and I'll let her know as well. I'm sorry you lost your puppy. I'm sure you'll find her!